Envelop-machine.



A. NOVICK.

ENVELOP MACHINE.

APPLICAHON FILED JULY 23. F917.

19293375@ Patented Apr. 1,1919,

I y3 SHEETS-SHEET l.' 585740 59" Y A 45 ,5 56\ I 52"" y O Q] Q 81 /f 10 102 200 83 82 I 1%? u I 105 105 Q2 Q5 10Q L Q Q C l Z22 106 70 Q Q 108104 12.4 f `Z39 .Z3 /f/ I JNE' 156 Q 126 `/\}`\""fl/ll 131 132 155 157 A. NOVICK.

ENVELOP MACHINE.` APPLICATION fgLEu luLY 23,1911.

3 sHEETs-sHEU 2.

Patented Apr 1,

instaan aus; paraisse carica.

i ABRAHAM NOVICK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,VSSIGVNOI`R, TO UNIL'TED STATES ENFELOPE COMIAN Y, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATIONOF MAINE.

ENVELoP-MACHINE.

1,298,776. Substitute for application Serial No.. 859,610, filed September 1, 1914. This application filed July 23, 191'?. i

serial No. 182,195. ,f

To all 107mm it may concern i Be it known that I, ABRAHAM Novroml'a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of v'New York, county' of Kings,

and State of New York, have invented cer- The present invention relates to envelop machines, this application being a ,contination of my copending application Serial No. 859,610,1iledSeptember 1, 1914.

My invention, as hereinafter described, resides in the provision of novel instrumentalities for making completed envelops from previously cut blanks or sheets at a high rate of speed and with extreme'uniformity and perfectionin the resulting product. The in-4 vention, as fully pointed out hereinafter,re

sides more particularly in the novel instrumentalities for facilitating and .completing the several'folding operations on the blanks which are requisite in the manufacture of envelops, and in a construction of such inst-rumentalities which renders them readily adjustable to the manufacture of envelops of various sizes and shapes, from blanks of widely different conformation. The inven-` tion is fully set forth in the following description and pointed out in the 4annexed claims, reference being had in this connection to the accompanying drawings, in,

which- Figure 1 is a sideviewof so much of an envelop machine as is necessary for the illustration ofmy present improvements.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view` of the mechanism which is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional-view of the mechanism, on the line 3-7-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse view of the mechanism, partly in section, and

showing the ,side or endflap folding mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 5 5, Fi 4.

Fig. 6 is a deiched view illustrating the operation of vthe back lflap folding mechamsm.

Fig. 7 is a similar view to Fig. 6, showing the Darts in a different position.

Fig. 8 is a view at right angles to Figs. 6 and 7, of the parts therein shown.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1, 1919.

Figa@v is a detached view of the seal iapl folding mechanism.

Figs. 10 and 11 are views illustrating two l The mechanism constituting my invention is herein shown as supported transversely between two spaced side framesor sta-ndards 1,1, which extend longitudinally of the machine, and which afford suitable bearings for the ends of the several shafts extending transversely therebetween. One such shaft is the main driving shaft 2 of the machine, which carries a belt pulley 3, or other equivalent means, by whichit is continuously rotated from any suitable source of power, not shown. Said shaftQ carries a Agear 4 |`which is in mesh with a gear 5 on a lower shaft 6, wherebyjsaid shafts 2 and 6 rotate in opposite directions. The shaft 6 carries an elongated roll 7 which -constitutes the 'driving means for. a plurality of endless beltsvor tapes'8, encircling said roll. Forwardly of the roll 7 `said belts 8 encircle a Aroll 9 which is journaled near the end of a stationary yoke 10, carried o'n a -transverse rod or bar 11 from the fixed framework. The upper courses of belts or tapes 8 pass over and around the two rolls 7 and 9, as shown in Fig. 3, and said belts thus consti-` tute the conveying mechanism for the envelop blanks to advance themv successively inl the plane of their fiat or extended posi- @tions Said blanks may be fed or delivered one by one to the belts or tapes 8 by any say .suitable mechanism commonly found in machines of'this class, the details ofv which mechanism form no part of the present invention and hence are not herein shown.

The blanks are fed to the belts or tapes -8,l

`and as so fed, their'advancement by said tapes is facilitated by the action of roll 12 which is carriedon shaft 2 immediately above the roll 7, with its peripheral surface in contact with said belts or tapesS.

with its back or bottom Hap in the lead, and

'with its side or end Haps proiecting later-` ally vand overhanging said belts or tapes.

The above is true whether the envelop to be formed is made from the usual rhomboidal blank with substantially triangular flaps, or whether it be of the form shown in Figs. 10 or 11, in which a. a respectively indicate the back or bottom flaps, Z), b respectively the side or end Haps and c, c respectively the seal flaps. Whatever the form of blank, the illustrated lembodiment of my invention contemplates the application of moist gum to the under surfaces of the projecting side or end flaps while the blank is in transit on the tapes 8, and to :this end rotating gumming members 13 are mounted ou a shaft 14 below the belts 8. These gumming members provide gumming segments, not shown, of the requisite shape and extent for gumming the edges of theunder surfaces of the side or..

end iaps of the blank; obviously, a number of such members 13 may be provided for interchangeable use on the shaft 14 to take care of different sizes and shapes of blanks. A pressing roller 15 is mounted on a shaft l13 directly above the gumming members 13 to insure contact between the. edges of the blank and the gumming segments. and said shafts -14 and 16 carry intermeshing gears 17 and 18 respectively, whereby their rotation in unison is effectech The gear 17 is in mesh with a gear 19 on shaft 20, which c arries a gum transferring cylinder 21 for supplying gum to the gumming segments of members 13. Said cylinder 21 is supplied with gum from a gum roll 22, .which is carried on a shaft 23 and rotates partially submerged in a gum box 24, of 4ordinary construction, containing a supply of liquid gum or adhesive. The gear 19 on shaft 20 is in mesh with an idle gear 25 on stud 26, which in turn receives its rotation from a second idle gear 27 on stud 28, the latter being in mesh with the gear 5 of shaft 6. The above described gearing serves to rotate shafts 14,

16 and 20 of the gumming mechanism in proper relation to the travel of the blanks on belts 8, whereby gum isapplied to the under surfaces of their side -iiaps as each blank moves forward in the machine. The shaft 23 of gum roll 22 has av gear 29 which is also in mesh with gear 19,v for the driving of said roll. as shown in Fig. l. The side flap gumming mechanism as above described is merely illustrative of one wav of carrying my invention into practice'. since it will be clear that the same of itself forms no part of Irresnective of the gumming operation orf' how it is performed, the blanks in their advance by thebelts 8 are preferably held in frictional contact with said belts by a series of gravity rollers or balls 30, 30, which are retained in suitable sockets or bearings of a plate 31, depending from a' transverseA bar 32 from the fixed framework. By thus imposing a slight weight on each blank as it moves forward with the upper courses of belts 8, the liability for slippage or de-registration of the blank is decreased. Each blank is delivered by the belts 8 onto a table 33, whose upper surface is in substantially the same plane as the upper courses of said belts, said table being supported on arms 34 projecting from the yoke 10. The leading edge of the'back orbo'ttom flap of the blank is carried beyond the edge of the table 33 un-y 4 and in this position of rest the rearmost part of the blank may overhang and rest upon the adjacent portions of belts 8. In this fashion, each blank is still under the influence of the forwarding and advancing means when brought to rest on the table 33, with the result that itis brought evenly and-squarely against the stops which arrest its movement, and hence it is squared and alined in preparation for the operation of the folding-de vices hereinafter described.

The stops which arrest the movement of the blank on the table 33 are two in number, one on each side of the blank, and they are here designated at 35, 35, as the lower endsv of rods Y36, 36, which depend from the free ends of crossed members 37 and 38, Figs, 2

from its stop 35, and the member 38 is attached to a similar carrier 40 on the oppositeside `of the machine from its stop 35. The two carriers 39 and 40 are movable in opposite directions simultaneously toward and awav from each other, by reason of their engagement with right and left hand screws '4l-and 42 respectively on a common'oscillating shaft 43, for a purpose hereinafter described. 'The stops 35 are caused to move in opposite directions simultaneously toward and'away from each other, and because of their connection to the crossed members 37 iris and 38, their movements are the reverse of v the movements of carriers 39 and 40. When the stops 35 are widelv separated, they are out of the way of a blank arriving on the table 33. but when drawn together, they are in position to intercept and arrest the movement of such a blank by contact with portions of its advancing edge. as for instance the rentrant angles d d of the blank shown in Fig. 10, or the rentrant angles d', d of the blank shown in Fig. 11. The joint action of these stops 35 is to aline and center the blank both longitudinally and laterally, as

will be readily understood, but it will be @essere clear that my inv-ention is not limited or con- ,iined'to the use of stops or squaring and ceni tering dev'lceshaving this particular mode 'tering and squaringdevices for the blank.

VThe shaft 43 carries an `ar-m 44 which is rpivotally Aconnected by a"'link 45 with a.

crank 46 on shaft 14.v nfthis manner, the desired oscillation, in time with the operation of the machine, is imparted tothe 'shaft 43, it being clear that the degreev of oscillation can be re ulated forvarious sizes of blanks by an adjustable pivotal connection 47, or in any other .well known mannen The carriers 39 and 40 support horizontal `forming plates 54, 54 from their lower ends, directly over the blank` as it lies on table 33. The. outer lateral. edges of these plates are utilized for the folding of the side flaps ofthe blank, and the front. edges are utilized for thefolding of the back or` bottom flaps of the blank. lWhen a blank is approaching the table 33,-the plates 54 are close together near the center of the machine, `and the stops 35 are consequently widely separated. Substantially coincident withftheV arrival of the blank onv table 33,

the plates, by the movement of carriers 39 and 40 along shaft 43, begin to separate, and at the same time the stops are drawn inwardly to effect the centering and squaring function which has already been described. AAt the limit of outward movement to which the plates. are adjusted for a blank of fold of the side flaps, and in this posi.

tion,^the mechanism 1s in readiness for the operation of the side flap folding devices, which will now be described.) It is to be understood that the forming plates 54, describcd above as being movable transversely of the machine, could. if desired, have these motionsv dispensed with. the same as the stops35. without departing from the spirit ofmy invention.

The side v,lapu folding devices. for coperation with the lateral edges of plates 54, consist of movable folding plates 55, 55 on opposite sides of table 33. thcse plates being carried adjustablv on the inner ends of arms 56.. As shown in Fig. 2, the plates 55 have elongated slots57 vthrough which pass `retaining bolts 58 for securing each plate in the desiredposition of adjustment with respect to its corresnondinnr arm 56. Each 'arm 56 has a substantially square opening 59 therein, within which opening works an ap-proXim'ately triangularcam 60,

mounted on a rock shaft- 61. as shown on y `both sides of the machinein Fig. 4. Each shaft-61 is journalfd in abracket 62 that is secured in any suitable manner, as by bolts 63, 6,3, to the side frames l, 1. y The brackets 62 also provide journals lfor operatingrock shafts 64, 64, the latter havingv gear segments 65, 65 thereon, each of which is'in mesh with a gear segment 66y on a correspending cam shaft 61. @ne of the rock shafts 64 is operated by an arm 67 having an adjustable pivotal connection 68 withl a rod 69, which is connected to an eccentric 70 on a shaft 71. The shaft 71 is rotated continuously, in timed relation tothe operation of the machine, through bevel gearing 72, "2 from the shaft 23, Fig. 1.. The motion of the operating rock shaft64'is communicated in the' opposite direction to the other rock shaft 64 by' means of a link 73, having a pivotal connection-74 with an arm 75 depending from said second rock shaft,

said link being piyotally connected at its opposite end to the gear segment 65 of first l rock shaft 64.

The outer 'end -of each arm 56carries a roller 76, which is movable 1n a substanl tially horizontal guide orI slot 77 provided by a bracket 78. The outer ends of arms 56 being thus constrained to move in a substantially horizontal path, the motion imparted to the inner ends of said arms carrying the.

folding plates 55 is as follows The partial rotation of each cam shaft 61 in one direction operates, through cam 60 and square opening 59, to first raise and then move inward horizontallv the corresponding folding plate 5 5. The reverse oscillation of each cam moves the corresponding folding plate outward horizontally and then down.

`The inward and outward horizontal motions thus imparted may be modied by providing a slight offset v7 9 ineach slot 77, thus facilitating the folding operation performed by the plates 55. on the side aps of the blank. It will be understood that at the start of the .side flap folding operation,

the plates 55 are disposed-below the' eXtend- 54 and the outward movement of stops 35,

to releasel the blank for the operation thereon of vthe back flap folding mechanism, which will now be described.

A oscillating shaft 81.the latter having an arm 82 which is pivotallyconnected bv a link 83 wwith a crank 84 onf shaft l4. The rotapair of Adisks 80 are mounted on an i tion of shaft 14 `thusrocks the shaft 81 and disks 80, the throw' or degree of movement of the latter being regulated by means of an adjustable pivotal connection 85, or any other'well known manner.` The disks 80 have eccentrically journaled therein the trunnions of a roll 86, Figs. 6, 7 and 8, to

which is secured a pinion 87 that meshes v with an idle gear 88, also carried eccentrically by one of the disks 80. The gear 88 is in mesh with a gear 89 carried by a hollow shaft 90, which surrounds the oscillating shaft 81 and is rotated continuously by a gear 91 in mesh with an idle gear 92 on stud 93, the latter being driven from gear 17 of shaft 14.

For coperation with the roll 86, the disks 80 support aroll 94 which is carried by arms 95,` 95, one on each disk and pivoted eccentrically thereto at 96. 96. The roll 94 is pressed against the periphery of roll 86 by means of 'springs 97, 97, which are attached to the arms 95, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and to the respective disks 80 on which said arms are pivoted. During the oscillatory movements of disks 80, the roll 86, carried thereby, is rotated continuously in a 4counter-clockwise direction, Figs. 3, 6

and 7, by reason of the planetary movement of pinion 87 and idle gear 88 about the driving gear 89 of said roll. While the blank on table 33 is having its side aps folded, the rolls 86 and 94 'occupy the position f shown in Fig. 3, the roll 94 being below the extended bottom or back flap of the blank. After the folding of the side flaps, the disks 80 are rocked upwardly, carrying the rolls 86 and 94 into the position shown in Fig. 6, causing the roll 94 to turn up and fold the ba ck or bottom flap of the envelop over the adjacent edges of forming plates 54. The

i completing the back wall of the envelop.

As it passes from thevbight of rolls 86 and 94, the partly folded envelop is delivered to the bight of forwarding rolls 98 and 99, the roll 98 being preferably segmental in form, as shown in Fig. 3, to allow for increasedl speed of travel of the envelop. The rolls 98 and 99 are carried. on shafts 100 and 101 respectively, which have intermeshing gears 102, 103, thelatter beine:

driven from a gear 104 on a shaft 105. which in turn is rotated continuously by bevel gearing 106 from shaft 71. From the bight of forwarding rolls 98 and 99, the partly folded envelopl passes over a roll 107 on shaft 108, the ,latter having a gear 109 in mesh with gear '104 of shaft 105. The roll 107 coperates with a gumming segment 110 to gum the free edge of the extended seal ap of the blank as said seal flap passes therebetween. This gumming segment 110 is mounted between disks 111, 111 on a shaft 112, which has a gear 113 in mesh with the gear 109 of shaft 108. The segment 110 receives its gum from a transfer roll 114 on shaft 115, the latter being driven by a gear 116 in mesh with gear 113,l and alsoin mesh with .the gear 117 on the shaft 118 of a gum roller 119. The latter rotates in a gum box 120 of usual construction and assists in the A'usual manner in supplying gum to the segment 110.

The disks 111 coperate with the roll 107 in forwarding the partly folded envelop from the seal `flap gumming mechanism to the bight of forwarding disks 121, 121 and a roll 122, it being understood that the above described specific seal flap gumming mechanism'of itself forms no part of my invention, since any well known type of' such mechanism could be employed. The disks 121, 121 and roll 122 are mounted on'shafts 123, 123 which carry intermeshing gears 124, 124, one of which is in mesh with a gear 125 on a shaft 126. The 'latter gear 125 is also 'in mesh with gear 109 on shaft 108, so as to continuously drive the disks 121 and roll 122. It will be understood that the disks 121 are suitably spaced apart on shaft 123 so that they will coactwit-h roll' 122 inforwarding the partlyfolded envelop without touching the moist gum on the seal flap. Obviously said disks may llave their peripheries notched or cut away in part for this purpose.A

The disks 121 and roll 122 project the partly folded envelop, with vits seal flap gummed, onto an inclined support 127, which is held by transverse rods 128, 128 from the stationary framework. The support 127 `provides adjustable stops V129 against which the lower folded edge of the partly formed envelop strikes to arrest the downward movement thereof on said support. vThese stops are adjustable longitu- 1 dinally for envelops of different lengths,

and are also adjustable vertically for envelops of different heights. For'coperation with the support 127, a swinging plate 130 is provided, which occupies the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3 when theenvelop is being projected onto the support. The plate 130 is carried on a rock shaft 131, from which projects a rocking arm '132 that is pivotally connected by a link 133' with a crank 134'- on shaft'126. After the envelop is in position 'in support 127, the plate 130 rocks inwardly to the full line position shown in Fig. 3, whereby its outer free edge by the rolls 140 and 143 until the crank 141 f 55` mesme will Correspond to the line on which the seal flap of the partly formed-envelop "is to be, l

folded; The seal flap vfolding mechanism is some- 5 what similar/to the back or bottom flap fold-- ing mechanism above described, in that it' consists of a pair of disks 135, Figs. 3 and 9,

which are carried, on a rocking shaft 136.

'2`stops 142 and 142', projecting inwardly toward the disk 135 from the iXed framework of the machine. For coperation with 'roll' 140, a roll 143 is provided, which is the counterpart of roll 94 of the back flap folding mechanism, said roll 143 being journaled in the ends of arms 144 which are pivoted at- 145 to the' respective disks 135 and yieldingly held by springs 146 to maintain the two rolls in contact.

With the partly folded envelop in position between support127 and plate 130, the counter-clockwise'movement of disks 135 carries the-roll 143 against the under side of the eX- tended seal flap, so as to turn upl and fold said seal Hap over the free edge of plate 130. J ust before the endof the throw o f the disks in this direction is reached, the crank 141 Y strikes the stop 142, and thus causes the rotation of the roll 140 through a small arc, whereby the folded edge of the seal flap is moved off the end of plate 130 just far enough to be in the bight of rolls 140 and 143. This'movement, however, does not continue for any appreciable distance, but stops almost immediately, since the throwof the disks .in va clockwise direction begins at this point. As a consequence, the seal Hap-is not pressed down against the backpf the envelop, but only its folded edge is pinched, and therefore themoistgumon said seal flap has no chanceto make `contact with any part of the envelop. With its seal flap thus folded, the

envelop is completed, andis carried around strikes the fixed stop 142', to rotate the roll. -140'in the opposite direction' to which it was previously rotated, thereby discharging thecompleted envelop from the disks, to allow it to fall into or be received bysuitable dry" ing devices, which are rnot herein shown.

Iclaim,"

1. In an envelop machine, the Acombination-` with means for advancing a blank, of means for arresting theadvancement of said blank,

reciprocating means for .folding the side fia'psr of the blank, and revoluble means, operable while the blank is at rest, for folding the bottom flap thereof.

- 2. In an envelop machine, the combination with means for advancing a blank, of-means for arresting the advancement of said blank,` adjustable reciprocating means for folding the side flaps of said blank, and oscillatory revoluble means for folding the bottom flap of said blank, said folding means operating in immediate successionwhilethe advancement of said -blank is arrested.

3. In an envelop machine, the combination with means for advancing a blank, of means for folding a side flap of said blank, comprising a forming plate positioned over said blank, a folder vplate for coaction with said forming plate, and means operative to cause said folder plate to successively'swing up under said side Hap, to move inwardly to turn over and foldv said fiap, to move out-A wardly, and to swing down out .of the way ofthe next incoming blank. f

4. In an envelop machine, the combination with means for advancing'a blank, of means for foldin a side flap lof said blank, comprising av ormin plate positioned over said blank, a folder pate forcoaction with said forming plate, and means operative for causing said folder plate to successively swing up under said side flap, to move inwardly to turn over and Afold said Hap, to releasesaid flap at the end of its inward movement, to move outwardly, and to swing down out of the way of the next incoming blank.

'5. In an envelop machine, the combination with means for advancing a blank, of means for folding the side 'flaps of said blank, oscillatory revoluble rolls for folding the bottom flap of said'blank, and oscillatory revoluble 105 rolls for. foldin `the'seal apof said blank. 6. In an enve pp machine, vthe combination with means foradvancing a blank,l of meansV for folding the side fiaps of saidblank, and

lmeans for folding the bottomiiap ofy Said 110 blank, said bottom 'flap folding Ameans comprising oscillatory disks, a pairof coacting rolls revolubly mounted on said disks and a forming plate for coacti'on with said rolls.

7 .l In an envelop machine, the combination 115 with means'for advancing a blank, of means for folding the side apsof said blank, and

' means for foldingthebottom iiap of said blank, said last named means'comprising a forming plate, and means for coacting with 12o said forming ]olate,v and operative to fold said bottom flap and remove said blank from beneath said forming plate.` y

8. In an envelop machine` the combination l with means forl folding the side iiapsof a 125 blank, of-.means for folding the bottom iap of said blank. and means for folding the seal Hap of said blank, saidlast named means comprising oscillatory disks. a pair of coacting rollsrevolubly mounted on said disks, 130

a forming plate, and means for rotating said i rolls through a small angle to coact with cess for causing said folding plate to suc'-v cessively swing up under said side iap, to move inwardly to turn over and fold said flap, to move outwardly, and to swing down out of the way of the next incoming blank.

10. In an envelopl machine, means for folding a side flapof a blank comprising a forming plate, a folder plate for coactlon with said forming plate for folding said l Hap, an arm carrying said folder plate, said arm having a substantially square recess therein, a substantially triangular camvin said recess operating said arm, and means forA folding the bottom flap of said'blank, said folding operations taking Hplace in-immediate succession while saidmblank retains a fixed positionin the machine. v

11. In an envelop machinea forming plate, and -means coacting with said forming plate for folding the bottom apof a blank and removing said lblank from said forming plate, comprising a pair of disks, means for oscillating said disks, a pair o f coacting rolls revolublv mounted on said disks, and means for continuously rotating said rolls. Y

12. In an envelop machine, means for folding the 'seal flap of a blank comprising a forming plate, a pair of disks, means for oscillating said disks, a pair of coacting rolls a pair of rolls revolubly mounted. on said revolubly mounted on said disks, and means for rotating said rolls through a small angle to coact with said forming plate for folding said seal flap and for alternately gripping:

and releasing said blank.

13.- In an envelop machine, means for folding the seal flap of an envelop blank, comprising a forming plate, a pair of disks,

disks, means for oscillating said disks, and means, operable by the oscillation of said disks, for rotating said rolls through small angles to coact with said forming plate for folding said seal flap, and for alternately gripping and releasing the envelop blank.

14. In an envelop machine, the combination with means for advancing a blank,

vof a forming plate, means for arresting the advancing movement 0f the blank beneath said forming plate, oscillatorfy revoluble rolls for vfolding the bottom ap of said blank over said forming plate, and means l vfor rotating vsaid rolls for withdrawing the folded blank from said forming plate.

15. In an envelop machine, the combination with means for folding the side flaps of a blank, of means for folding the bottom fla of said blank and. adjustable means for fol ing the seal flap of said blank, said last named means comprising oscillatory means,

a forming plate for coaction with said oscillatory means, and .an adjustable sto arranged to prevent movement of said lank while said seal iiap is being folded.` v

'16. In an envelop machine, the combination with a forming plate,of means coacting! with said forming vplate for folding the side flaps .of a blank, means' capable ofoscillation alternately toward and away fromv said forming plate for coaction with said plate in folding the bottom flap of said-.` blank, and means for-'rotating said bottom' flap folding means.

17. In an envelop machine, thecombina- 'y tion with a side andbottom flap forming vlate of means for coaction with said form- P s ing plate for folding the side flaps of a blank, oscillatory means for coaction with said forming plate for folding the bottom Hap of said blank, a seal flap forming plate and oscillatory means for coaction with said seal flap forming plate for folding the seal flap of said blank. i

18. ln an envelop machine, a flap folding mechanism, comprising a` forming plate, means for supporting a blank beneath said forming plate, means fory advancing a blank by an edgewise movementbetween said supporting means and said forming plate,

means for alining theblank on said supporting means, means for folding the side flaps of the blank, and means for folding ,the bottom flap of the blank, said folding operations taking place in immediate succession while said blank retains a xed posi- .tion on said supporting means. I

19. In an envelop machine, means for ad? vancing a blank by an edgewise movement,.

means for applying adhesive material to the under side of the side flaps of the blank, aV forming plate, means for bringing the blank to a state of rest beneath said forming plate and in alinement therewith, means for folding the side flaps over said forming plate /to bring their gummed surfaces uppermost, 'and means for folding the back iiap upon said .side flaps while the blank remains in a state of rest. A

20. In an envelop machine, the combina- 1 tion with means for advancing a blank, of means for arresting the advancement of and alining said blank, reciprocating means for folding the side fiaps of said blank, oscillatory'revoluble rolls for folding the bottomfiap of said blank, and oscillatory revoluble rolls for folding the seal flap of said blank.

21. In an envelop machine, the combination with means for advancing a blank, of means for arrestin the advancement of and alining said blan adjustable means for folding the side iaps Aof said blank, and means for folding the bottom iap of said blank, comprising a forming plate and unitary means for coaction with said forming plate and operative to fold said bottom fiap and lremove said folded blank from said forming plate.

22. 'In an envelop machine, the combination with means for advancing a blank, of means for arresting the advance movement of the blank, means Yfor folding the blank during i-tsl period of rest, comprising a f forming plate, a'folder plate for coaction with said forming plate for folding a side flap of the blank oversaid forming plate, an

arm carrying said folder plate,e said arm be ing pivotally supported at one end and capable of a sliding-movement in its support, and means for actuating said arm to successively lswing saidfolder plate upwardly under the side flap, to move inwardly to fold the side fiap, to be raised at the end of its inward movement, to moveoutwardly, and to swing downwardly out of the .path of the succeeding incoming blank.

23. AIn an envelop machine, the combination with means for advancing a blank, of

means for arresting the advance movement of the blank, means for folding the ,blank during its period of rest, comprising a forming plate, a folder` plate for coaction with said forming plate for folding a side flap of the blank, an armcarrying said folderplate, said arm being pivotally supported at one end and capable of sliding movement in its support, means for actuating said arm to successivelyv swing said folder plate upl wardly under the side flap, to move inwardly to fold the side fiap over said forming plate, to be raised at the end of its inward movement, to move outwardly, and to swing downwardly out of the path of the succeeding incoming blank, and means for folding the bottom flap of said blank while the latter remains at rest.

24. In an envelop machine, the combination with means for advancing a blank, of-

means for arresting tbe forwardv movement of the blank, means for folding the side flapsof the blank, and means for folding the backflap of the blank during its period of rest,-

comprising a pair of coacting rolls, a form- Ving plate .having an edge in alinement with the line of fold of the back Hap, means for moving said pair of rolls to carry one of said rolls below the forming plate and the other of said rolls. above the forming plate, means for retracting said rolls, and means for continuously rotating said rolls to withdraw the Vfolded blank from the forming plate.

25, In an envelop machine, the combinai tion with means for advancing a blank, of

means for arresting the forward movement of the blank, means for folding the side iiaps of the blank, and means for folding the back liiap ofl theblankwhile the latter is at rest,

comprising a forming plate .having an edge corresponding vwith the lin'e of fold of the 26. In an envelop machine,- a pair of feed l rolls, a supporting plate for the blank, movablebelts between said feed rolls and supporting plate for conveying the blank by an edgewise movement, means for gumming the under side of the side flaps during the transit of the blank over said belts, means for arresting the movement of the blank on said supporting plate, aforming plate,

means for folding theside flaps over said forming plate, and means for withdrawing the folded blank from the forming plate.

27. In an envelop machine, means for folding-the side fiaps of the blank, means for folding the back flap of the blank, means for n withdrawing the blank from said flap folding mechanism, means for advancing the blank to a gumming mechanism for ming the seal iap, and means for delivering gum",

the folded blank by gravity to mechanism for folding the seal iap, mechanism for folding the seal flap, and means for releasing the folded envelop from mechanism. i

28. In an envelop machine, a seal iap fold# ing mechanism, comprising an inclined plate arranged to receive an envelop blank having its side iaps and back iiap folded', means for determining the position of the folded blank upon said inclined plate, a forming plate, means for moving said forming plate upon the folded' blank with its edge in alinement with the line'of fold of the seal flap, a

pair nfcoacting rolls for folding the seal flap, and means for moving said rolls with their contacting surfaces in a curved path across the folded edge of said forming plate, one roll of said `pair of rolls being journaled in liked bearings and the other roll of said pair being yieldinglyheld.

29. In an envelop machine, a seal fla folding mechanism, bomprising an incline plate arranged to receive an' envelop blank having its side fiaps and back iap folded, means for determining the position of the forming plate-,me'ns for moving said forme the sealviap folding' i folded blank upon said inclined plate, a

ing plate upon the folded *blank with its edge in alinement with thedine of fold of .130

i the `'seal flap, a pair of coacting rolls for means for gumming the underside of the folding the seal-flap, means for moving said rolls with their contacting surfaces in a" curved path across the folded edge of'said forming plate, one roll of said. pair being journaled inffix'ed bearings and the other .roll of said pair being yieldingly held, and means for rotating said pair of rolls in one direction at lone end of their curvilinear movement to withdraw the folded blank from the forming plate. f

30. In anvenvelop machine, a seal flap folding mechanism, comprising an inclined plate to receive an envelop blank having its side flaps and back flap folded, means for determining the 'position of the folded blank upon said inclined plate, a forming plate, means for moving said forming plate upon the. folded blank with its edge in alinementV with the-line of fold of the seal iap, a pair of coacting rolls for folding the seal flap, means for moving said rolls with their contacting surfaces in a curved path across the folded edge of said forming plate, one roll of said pa'ir ofrolls being journaled in fixed bearings and the other roll of said pair being yieldinglyheld, means for rotating said pair of rolls in one direction at one end of their curvilinear movement to' withdraw the( .folded blank from the forming plate, andv means 'for rotatingsaid pair lof rolls in the opposite direction at` the opposite end of their curvilinear movement for releasing lthe folded envelop.

43l. In an envelop machine, the combination of the following instrumentalities, operating in the order named, means for advancing, a blank by an edgewise movement,

side flaps during said movement, means fo'r arresting the movement of the blank, means for. folding the side flaps, means for folding ythe back flap while the blank is in a state of rest, means for withdrawing the blank 'froml said folding mechanism, means for gumming the seal flap of the blank, means for folding the seal nap, and means for releasing the blank from the, seal fiap folding mechanism.

32. In an envelop machine, a flap folding mechanism. comprising a plate, means for supporting a blank with a Hap thereof projecting beyond one edge of said plate, a pairofv cooperating rolls normally disposed on the opposite side of said blank from said plate, and meansI for bodily moving said Y rolls against saidprojecting flap to fold the latterl over the-edge of said plate, whereby 1the fold is brought into-the bight of said rol s. 4

33. In an. envelop machine, a Hap folding mechanism comprising a plate, means for 'supporting a blank with a ap thereof projecting beyond one edge of said plate, rotating means for removing said blank from nagaan;

ing position, whereby said projecting flap is `folded over the edge of said plate, prior to the removal of said blank.,

34. In an envelop machine, a iiap foldingv mechanism comprising a plate, means for supporting a blank with a flap thereof projecting beyond one' edge of said plate, blank engaging means having a path of movement toward said edge of said plate, whereby to fold said projecting flap in the act of engaging said blank, and means for moving said engaging means in the opposite'direction to remove said blank from said support.- 35. Inan envelop machine, a flap folding mechanism `comprising a plate, means lfor supportlng a blank with a flap thereof pro.v

jecting beyond one edge of said plate, a pair j' of coperating rolls normally disposed on" the opposite side of said-blank from said plate, means for bodily moving said rolls to bring the bight thereof adjacent said edge of said plate, whereby the projecting flap of the blank is folded, and the fold 1slseized in said bight, means for bodily moving said rolls in thelopposite direction, to withdraw said blank from said support and means for` rotatin said rolls.

36. n a folding mechanism, a support for the sheet to be folded, a stationar forming .plate above said support, an oscil ating roll adapted to coperate with vsaid forming plate, and means for moving 'said roll in a circular path from a position below the" plane of said forming plate to a position v above the edge of the forming plate, whereby a sheet held o-n said support and projecting beyond the forming plate -will be folded over said edge. y

37. In a folding mechanism, the combina- -tion with a forming plate, of an oscillatory roll for turning over and vfolding a projecting flap of a blank over said forming plate while said blank is at rest, and means coacting with said folding roll for removing said blank from said forming plate, for applying pressure to-the folded blank, and for advancing said blank.

38. In a folding mechanism, the combination with a forming plate, of oscillatory means for folding a blank about said forming plate while said blank is at rest, and revoluble means for coaction with said oscillatory means 'for removing said blank from said formingA plate.

39,In an envelopvmachine,` the combination with a forming plate, of means coacting with said forming plate for folding 'the flap, and means for continuously rotating said rolls to remove said foldedA blank from beneath said forming plate.

40. In an envelop machine, the combination with means for advancing ay blank, of a supporting plate for said blank, a pair of forming plates above said supporting plate, a pair of stops for alining the blank on said supporting plate, means coperating With said forming plates for folding the side flaps of said blank While on said supporting removal of 'the folded blank from said sup- 15 porting plate. Dated this 18th day of July 1917.

ABRAHAM NOVICK.

Witnesses:

MARGARETE E. DooLAN, ANNA K. LEONARD. 

